Mary Magdalene
After the crucifixion, Mary Magdalene arrived in Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer, France and lived in a cave near Sainte-Baume for 30 years until she passed. This may explain why France has more black Madonnas than any other country in the world.
The nearby south-western part of France bordering Spain is known as Cathar Country. The Cathars had their own religious practices in which men and women were equals. Both could become spiritually pure perfecti (male) or perfectae (female), and it seems the ratio was about 50:50.
They did not need a church as an intermediary, as each person could communicate directly with god. They were a direct threat to Rome and this ultimately led to The Inquisition to destroy them all.
